Heat Recovery Atmospheric-Pressure Vat

ABSTRACT

A hydronic heating system. A vat of water is heated on a hot wood stove. The water is recirculated through a heat exchanger to heat a remote living space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent U.S. 62/762,041 (“Boiler Pot”)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention (heat recovery vat, reference Provisional Patent U.S. 62/762,041 “boiler pot”) relates to heating a living space with a wood stove. Hydronic heating systems recirculate a heat exchange fluid through a heated first heat exchanger to heat the heat exchange fluid and then through a second heat exchanger (a “radiator”) located in a living space to heat the living space. A plurality of living spaces (such as different bedrooms and a living room) are usually heated as individually controlled zones. It is not advisable to place the first heat exchanger of a hydronic heating system inside a wood stove. Heating living spaces that are remote from a wood stove from heat generated by the woodstove by natural convection of air heated by the wood stove is difficult or nearly impossible in the case of a closed bedroom. It would be an advance in this art if a hydronic heating system were discovered that could be used with a wood stove.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is the discovery of a hydronic heating system for use with a wood stove. More specifically, the instant invention (heat recovery vat) is a hydronic heating system water heater, comprising: a pot or vat, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, the pot or vat having a bottom, sides and an open top, the inlet pipe positioned through and sealed to the side of the pot or vat, the outlet pipe positioned through and sealed to the side of the pot or vat so that when the pot/vat contains water and the pot/vat is placed on a hot wood stove, the water in the pot/vat is heated by the hot wood stove so that the hot water can be flowed from the pot/vat through the outlet pipe through a heat exchanger and then back into the pot or vat by way of the inlet pipe. In another embodiment, the heat recovery vat is a method for heating a first living space from heat generated by a wood stove located in a second living space by the steps of: heating an open container of water on a hot wood stove in a second living space to produce hot water; flowing the hot water through a radiator and then back to the open container, the radiator located in a first living space to heat the first living space. In yet another embodiment, the heat recovery vat is a method for heating a first living space from heat generated by a wood stove located in a second living space by the steps of: heating an open container of water on a hot wood stove in a second living space to produce hot water; flowing the hot water through a heat exchanger and then back to the open container, exchanging heat from the heat exchanger to a recirculated fluid flowed through a radiator to heat the first living space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing, part in cross section and part in full, of a highly preferred heat recovery vat (previously referred to as “boiler pot”) of the instant invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a hydronic heating system incorporating the heat recovery vat shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a drawing from above of a customized version of the heat recovery vat used to heat remote areas of the home.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown a drawing, part in cross section and part in full, of a highly preferred heat recovery vat (2) of the instant invention. Stainless steel outlet pipe (5) is welded in an aperture in the side of stainless steel pot (2). Stainless steel inlet pipe (4) is welded in an aperture in the other side of stainless steel pot/vat (2). Pot/vat (2) is filled with water (6) and placed on a functional woodstove or alternative heating device (1).

Referring to FIG. 2, therein is shown a schematic drawing of a hydronic heating system incorporating heat recovery vat (8) shown in FIG. 1 (as “2”). Heat Recovery Vat (8) is placed on hot wood burning stove (7) to heat the water contained in Heat Recovery Vat (8) to be flowed from outlet pipe (9) through liquid conduit 10, through heat exchanger (11), through liquid conduit 12, through pump (13) and then back into vat (8) by way of liquid conduit (14) through the outlet pipe (15). Heat exchanger (11) can be a radiator placed in, for example a bedroom while stove (7) is placed in a living room. However, the instant invention can also be incorporated with a pressurized hydronic system as shown in FIG. 2 wherein a heat transfer fluid is recirculated by pump 19 via liquid conduits 16, 18 and 20 through radiator (17).

Referring to FIG. 3, therein is shown a 2D drawing of a customized heat recovery vat (21), designed to maximize heat recovery from the chimney and woodstove surface. The welded inlet and outlet pipes are replaced with welded threaded apertures (22 & 23).

CONCLUSION

While the instant invention has been described above according to its preferred embodiments, it can be modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the instant invention using the general principles disclosed herein. Further, the instant application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hydronic heating system water heater, comprising: a vat, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, the vat having a bottom, sides and an open top, the inlet pipe positioned through and sealed to the side of the vat, the outlet pipe positioned through and sealed to the side of the vat so that when the vat contains water and the vat is placed on a hot wood stove, the water in the vat is heated by the hot wood stove so that the hot water can be flowed from the vat through the outlet pipe through a heat exchanger and then back into the vat by way of the inlet pipe.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a radiator for heating a living space.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger heats a recirculated fluid flowed through a radiator for heating a living space.
 4. A method for heating a first living space from heat generated by a wood stove located in a second living space by the steps of: heating an open container of water on a hot wood stove in a second living space to produce hot water; flowing the hot water through a radiator and then back to the open container, the radiator located in a first living space to heat the first living space.
 5. A method for heating a first living space from heat generated by a wood stove located in a second living space by the steps of: heating an open container of water on a hot wood stove in a second living space to produce hot water; flowing the hot water through a heat exchanger and then back to the open container, conducting heat from the heat exchanger to a recirculated fluid flowed through a radiator to heat the first living space.
 6. A method of cooling a first living space from cold well-water or a chilled liquid via a vat located in a second living space by the steps of: cooling an open container of water in a second living space from a well, flowing the cooled water through a heat exchanger and then back to the open container, conducting heat energy from the heat exchanger to a recirculated fluid flowed through a radiator to cool the first living space.
 7. A method of heating domestic hot water used in conjunction with existing buffer tank technology. 